Ms. Yalanda Yvette ("Binky") Metcalfe

Yalanda Yvette “Binky” Metcalfe burst onto the planet on January 16, 1969, at Scott Air Force Base Hospital in Shiloh Valley, Illinois. She was the second child of three, born to Henry Coleman Metcalfe and Bessie L. Wilson Metcalfe.

Yalanda was quickly given the nickname of “Binky”  by her family, not knowing at the time that the nickname would follow her forever. “Bink” was educated in the St. Louis Public and University City School Districts. She was a University City girl through and through and was often accused of bleeding “black and gold” for her University City High School (UCHS) Indians.
She loved and supported not only her class of ‘87, but all of her fellow alums. After graduation, she went on to matriculate at Florissant Valley Community College.

Yalanda’s path was formed during her early adult days for “A Life of Service.” Whether she was representing UCHS by writing and reading condolences for grieving families, or helping to serve the families at repast, or welcoming returning students for the new school year, Binky would always show up and show out. Homecoming, which was her “Special U-City Day,” would find Binky interviewing classmates, parade participants, fellow alumni, teachers, and onlookers all on Facebook Live. She was always busy covering the parade, supplying the parade participants with snacks and beverages (which she would purchase herself)  and handing them out at the end of the parade route. She especially enjoyed taking pictures of her favorite thing, “Going Live!” 

Bink was blessed with the title of  “Mother” in 1989, with the birth of Lindsay Arielle Metcalfe, and again in 2000 with Zahrya Aundraea Metcalfe. There was nothing in the world Binky wouldn’t do for her children to provide opportunities for her girls to be well-rounded young ladies. Her daughters were her life, her whole world, and everyone knew it.

Yalanda earned her Pharmacy Technician Certification and was employed by many pharmaceutical companies. Binky loved customer service, and was often called “the De-escalator” at work. She would calm down her customers so well that they would end up apologizing for their behavior, thanking her profusely, and buying additional services before ending the conversation. She also graduated from truck driving school and earned her Commercial Drivers License, giving her the opportunity to work for Federal Express for many years. Her last career change was school office manager, where she enjoyed working and supporting the teachers and students in any way she could.

Along with her siblings, Yalanda’s Christian education was formulated at Baptist Church of the Holy Communion in University City, MO, under the leadership of Pastor Bartlett L. Wilkerson. As an adult, she attended Higher Heights Christian Church, and later transitioned to the Worship Center Christian Church, where her brother-in-love, Pastor Carlos Mayfield, serves as Senior Pastor. “Bink” served TWCCC’s Praise and Worship Team, the Youth Ministry, and Operation H.O.P.E. Outreach Ministry, until her health prohibited her from participating.

Yalanda was “set free” from her earthly journey of love and service on Saturday morning, June 19, 2021, at 8:58 a.m., at home surrounded by her loving family at her bedside. “Juneteenth,” HER glorious day of “freedom” from all of her pain, treatments, and hospitalizations, will forever be known in the hearts of all who loved her as “Binkteenth!!!” She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, both grandfathers, and an aunt.

Our beloved sweetheart enjoyed life to the fullest, and has left a legacy of love, support, and service, to be emulated by: her two loving daughters, Lindsay (Joshua) Byrd and Zahrya Metcalfe; her precious grandchildren, who were her pride and joy, Joshua Byrd II and Leena Byrd; an adoring mother, Rev. Bessie Metcalfe; father, Rev. Henry (Paula) Metclafe; her cherished siblings, Shellie (Pastor Carlos) Mayfield, Henry “Mannie” Metclafe and Brandon Greenwood; a darling grandmother, Annie Metcalfe; dearest aunts and uncles, Bettie Williams, Evangelist Gloria (Eld. David) Vann, Wanda (Dr. Ronad) Haynes, Karen Metcalfe, Donna (Anthony) Greer, Willie “Sonny” Metcalfe, Nathaniel (Kecia) Metcalfe, Norman Metcalfe, Darrell (Jacqueline) Metcalfe, and Minister Tyrone (Felecia) Metcalfe; three “Bonus Daughters,” Aaries (Kenneth) Boyer, Raven (David) McFerren and Malia Harden; two bonus grandchildren, David and Roman McFerren; proud nieces, Zoe Carroll, Nasia Metcalfe, Evelyn Metcalfe and Luna Greenwood; nephews, Malik Metcalfe, Hanif Metcalfe, Chase Mayfield, Clayton Mayfield, Christian Mayfield, and Loyal Greenwood; great-nephew, Adder Metcalfe; very special cousins, other relatives, friends, adoring godmothers, godbrothers, godchildren, loving BFFs, her “Amazing Girls”, her U-City Family, the Worship Center Christian Church Family and a very special friend.

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